South Korea set to join global race to develop sixth-generation fighters

A senior executive at aerospace firm KAI says the country will upgrade its warplanes to match those developed by China, the US and others

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A South Korean-made KF-21 fighter on display in Seoul. EPA-EFE/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

Published: 9:00pm, 22 Jun 2025

South Korea is set to become the latest country to develop a sixth-generation fighter, according to a senior aerospace executive.

Shin Dong-hak, vice-president of international business development at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said in an interview at the Paris Air Show that the technology it was showcasing at the event – including 4.5-generation fighters and unmanned aerial vehicles – would “ultimately” become “key elements” of the switch to sixth-generation fighters.

The country is joining a global race where footage recently released on social media suggests China may have started testing its sixth-generation prototypes.

Meanwhile, in the United States, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US will go ahead with its sixth-generation fighter programme by awarding Boeing the contract to develop the planes.

Last week at the event – the world’s largest and oldest air show – KAI’s display included the KF-21 Boramae, its latest 4.5-generation fighter jet, FA-50 light combat aircraft and next-generation unmanned combat aircraft.

These aircraft were each accompanied by multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), suggesting it was working on crewed-uncrewed teaming – a key element of new-generation aerial warfare in which drones operate alongside piloted planes to increase their operational range and serve as a defensive shield.

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